The beginning of a new year is usually characterized by a lot of snowfall in North America. As simple as it may sound, snow removal is one of the most hectic jobs one can do. It is both physically exhausting as well as expensive. The process needs to be done immediately after a snowfall to make traveling by foot or vehicle easier and safer. When in need of professional companies for snow removal Woodbridge Ontario is the best place to visit.
Municipal governments are usually charged with the duty of removing ice that forms in towns and cities. On the contrary, individuals are responsible for clearing ice from and around their properties and businesses. The United States and Canada experience snow in most parts every year, which makes the problem a familiar one. That is why a lot of solutions have been formulated to deal with the problem. Not all solutions do well in all situations and one should choose depending on the uniqueness of their problem.
There are several factors that determine what clearing method is used. For instance, there are removal methods that are suitable for large areas such as cities and those suitable for small backyards. De-icing is a method applied after a snowfall has already occurred. Anti-icing on the other hand is done during or prior to a snowfall.
Anti-icing involves treating surfaces with ice melting chemicals in order to prevent or delay the process of ice formation. It can also prevent ice from adhering to a surface. Brine or wetted salt is among the chemicals that have been in wide use in prevention or removal of ice. Brine is usually applied before a storm occurs and when applied correctly, it can lower the quantity of salt needed and also make removal of ice by mechanical techniques easier.
Traditionally, salt is the main agent used to de-ice roads. Snowplows and other kinds of vehicles are sued to spread the salt on surfaces. Salt is used in combination with sand or gravel. Since salt is easily available and very cheap, it is the best choice to use.
However, there are several limitations associated with salt. First its efficiency is highly reduced at -18 degrees centigrade because salt water can freeze at that temperature. As such, when temperatures fall below -18 degrees centigrade, trucks and other clearing methods become useful.
Sodium chloride (salt) has also been determined to cause rusting and corrosion in steel. Therefore, it corrodes steel in vehicles and rebar in concrete bridges, making it less preferable. Other kinds of salts have proved to be better compared to sodium chloride salt. Such salts include magnesium chloride and calcium chloride, which lower the freezing temperature of water and also produce an exothermic reaction that melts snow.
Magnesium chloride and Calcium chloride offer a few benefits over magnesium chloride, but they still cause detrimental effects on the surroundings. With too much salts being pumped into the soils each year, the soil loses its properties and ability to support vegetation. Serious reclamation may be needed before it becomes useful again. Efforts to develop eco-friendly chemicals are underway.
Municipal governments are usually charged with the duty of removing ice that forms in towns and cities. On the contrary, individuals are responsible for clearing ice from and around their properties and businesses. The United States and Canada experience snow in most parts every year, which makes the problem a familiar one. That is why a lot of solutions have been formulated to deal with the problem. Not all solutions do well in all situations and one should choose depending on the uniqueness of their problem.
There are several factors that determine what clearing method is used. For instance, there are removal methods that are suitable for large areas such as cities and those suitable for small backyards. De-icing is a method applied after a snowfall has already occurred. Anti-icing on the other hand is done during or prior to a snowfall.
Anti-icing involves treating surfaces with ice melting chemicals in order to prevent or delay the process of ice formation. It can also prevent ice from adhering to a surface. Brine or wetted salt is among the chemicals that have been in wide use in prevention or removal of ice. Brine is usually applied before a storm occurs and when applied correctly, it can lower the quantity of salt needed and also make removal of ice by mechanical techniques easier.
Traditionally, salt is the main agent used to de-ice roads. Snowplows and other kinds of vehicles are sued to spread the salt on surfaces. Salt is used in combination with sand or gravel. Since salt is easily available and very cheap, it is the best choice to use.
However, there are several limitations associated with salt. First its efficiency is highly reduced at -18 degrees centigrade because salt water can freeze at that temperature. As such, when temperatures fall below -18 degrees centigrade, trucks and other clearing methods become useful.
Sodium chloride (salt) has also been determined to cause rusting and corrosion in steel. Therefore, it corrodes steel in vehicles and rebar in concrete bridges, making it less preferable. Other kinds of salts have proved to be better compared to sodium chloride salt. Such salts include magnesium chloride and calcium chloride, which lower the freezing temperature of water and also produce an exothermic reaction that melts snow.
Magnesium chloride and Calcium chloride offer a few benefits over magnesium chloride, but they still cause detrimental effects on the surroundings. With too much salts being pumped into the soils each year, the soil loses its properties and ability to support vegetation. Serious reclamation may be needed before it becomes useful again. Efforts to develop eco-friendly chemicals are underway.
About the Author:
To arrange for quick snow removal Woodbridge Ontario residents can get in touch with the following landscapers. Here is the relevant contact info at http://riverviewlandscaping.ca.
No comments:
Post a Comment